Communications Blog

9/16 Week in Review

September 16, 2017

Week In Review

Resistance Event with Michael Blake and Pramila Jayapal

On Friday we held an event in Seattle for members of The Resistance and were joined by two special guests: DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Washington Democrats Chair Tina Podlodowski led a discussion on events happening in both Washington State and Washington DC. Topics included the importance of electing Manka Dhingra in the 45th Legislative District and the opportunity Democrats have to flip the 8th Congressional District now that Dave Reichert will not be seeking reelection.

The evening kicked off a continuing weekend of events with DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake as he visits Western Washington and speaks with community leaders and our exceptional Democratic candidates.

On Sunday evening Tina and Michael will head to The Paramount Theatre in Seattle to see Chris Rock on his Total Blackout tour with a lucky winner from our contest drawing. Congratulations to Cheryl L. from Seattle! Cheryl and a guest will join Tina and Michael at the Paramount to see Chris Rock!

Organizing Academies

The Washington State Democrats are holding Organizing Academies to train volunteer organizers around the state.

Our Organizing Academies are interactive training programs led by expert organizers, focusing on core organizing skills that will help participants lead the fight to elect Democrats all across the state, including in the crucial 8th Congressional District, which is up for grabs now that Dave Reichert has announced that he will not seek another term. Our Flip the 8th Organizing Academy will train volunteers to organize in the 8th CD and beyond.

Last week, Washington State GOP Chair Susan Hutchison doubled down on her assertion that Democrats won’t be able to take the 8th CD. But after Reichert announced that he would not run again, Inside Elections reclassified his seat from “Solid Republican” to “Tilt Democratic.” Even Reichert said his district is leaning toward the left. What we’re hearing from the Republican Party right now is a combination of denial and bluster, as they watch a well-prepared and well-organized Democratic Party make significant gains in a district Republicans have always held. We have a real shot to turn Reichert’s district blue, but we can’t let up.

That’s why our Organizing Academies are so important, in the 8th Congressional District and all around the state. We’re seeing months of laying the groundwork pay off as we transition to the offensive in the 8th, and we’re continuing to canvass and talk to voters in every Congressional District across the state so that we can be ready to take the initiative, just as we were ready when Reichert announced he would not run again. Our goal with our Organizing Academies is to turn all of Washington State a brilliant bright blue.

If you want to help take Reichert’s seat away from Republicans or organize in other parts of the state to elect Democrats into office, sign up to attend one of our free Organizing Academy sessions. There are three trainings already scheduled, with more to come. Click the links to sign up for one near you.

The 9th Women of Valor awards, hosted by Senator Maria Cantwell, are just around the corner. The awards will take place in Seattle on October 13. The Women of Valor Awards honor women from across Washington State who have inspired their communities. This year, Senator Cantwell will be joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Senators Cantwell and Warren have worked together on many issues in the U.S. Senate, including bank reform by cosponsoring the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act, a bill that would implement common-sense banking regulations and protect consumers from high-risk transactions conducted by their banks. The two have also worked together to protect vital Department of Energy programs that President Trump sought to defund.

You can join Maria Cantwell and Elizabeth Warren in honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of Washington State women while helping both Senators get back to D.C. to fight for our values. Check out the details and purchase tickets here.

Emerge Training

Emerge Washington started in early 2017 as part of Emerge America, a program set up in 2005 to train Democratic women on how to run for public office. Emerge Washington wants to increase the number of Democratic women in public office throughout Washington State and is holding training starting in January of 2018 to train women to win elections. Emerge uses a selective application process to ensure that trainees are excellent future candidates.

Emerge describes its training model as, “an intensive 70-hour, cohort-based training program, designed explicitly to address the extra challenges that women face in the political arena by offering early-stage recruitment; top-notch, comprehensive training; and an ongoing network of support.”

If you are not yet a member of our monthly low-dollar donor program, The Resistance, now is the perfect time to join! Every dollar raised by the The Resistance goes directly into our grassroots organizing efforts across the state. Funds from The Resistance have allowed us to reach out to voters from all parts of Washington State and lay the groundwork to challenge Republicans wherever they are. By joining The Resistance, you can help us win in every race, in every place. Visit our website to sign up and get some awesome swag!

WA Democrats Latest Posts

Once again, WA State is leading the way! Governor Jay Inslee just signed into law automatic voter registration, Election Day registration, pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, and the state Voting Rights Act. It's a good day for Democracy.